I get that, but I would much sooner flatshare with someone, share living space with one other person and have my own bedroom. I am a miserable git but I would prefer that to sleeping in the living room.
Flat Rental Advice
- Thread starter MisChief
- Start date
I get that, but I would much sooner flatshare with someone, share living space with one other person and have my own bedroom. I am a miserable git but I would prefer that to sleeping in the living room.
Soldato
Indeed, which is why my final sentence was in there, I don't like living with people, but for a total cost of a bit more you can end up with a much nicer place for a personal cost of a lot less. I used to look at studios, but I just couldn't do it I don't think, I'd rather pay the premium of a single bed flat than be in a studio to be honest. I like the fact you have separate rooms, not 1-2 merged rooms.
Man of Honour
I have to say I've been in a large 2 bed flat with a garden + large lounge, kitchen and bathroom, for £1200 pcm sharing in A nice part of London - for 2 that's £600 each. So for £700 for a studio is a bit much!
Associate
Wow, £700 for a studio flat !
There are more people renting than buying so I suspect Rent prices have gone up accordling.
There are more people renting than buying so I suspect Rent prices have gone up accordling.
Soldato
Problem is, you pay a premium to live alone (and you pay one to live in Surrey too), two bed places are often a lot cheaper, some can be minimally more total cost but work out much cheaper.
For example, in Bournemouth when I was looking 6 months ago, studios are £400 for a grotty little hole and £500+ for an ok one. A 2 bed flat, fully furnished and really very nice...£650. Unfortunately I didn't have anyone to live with so couldn't take advantage of the two bed flat (I did however say 'sod it' and went into a house share with two people I didn't know and it's great, cheap and lovely house....bar neighbours
).
Soldato
if its already been passed off by building control then the current owner is under no obligation to upgrade any insulation / sound control measures so I wasn't sure what your point about sound proofing was? There should be some insulation between party floors and walls but depending on when the property was built will determine how much and to what level the decibel level should be at for adjoining properties.
Admittedly going to view the properties at those times 5.30 -5.45 at least you'll be able to guage the outside noise levels as its at a peak time.
Man of Honour
Problem is, you pay a premium to live alone (and you pay one to live in Surrey too), two bed places are often a lot cheaper, some can be minimally more total cost but work out much cheaper.
For example, in Bournemouth when I was looking 6 months ago, studios are £400 for a grotty little hole and £500+ for an ok one. A 2 bed flat, fully furnished and really very nice...£650. Unfortunately I didn't have anyone to live with so couldn't take advantage of the two bed flat (I did however say 'sod it' and went into a house share with two people I didn't know and it's great, cheap and lovely house....bar neighbours
True - I guess I didn't realise the premium one pays for living in the home counties.
I'm looking to move in the summer, and found some cracking places for around £700 pcm in again, nice parts of London. But not studios - I refuse to eat, sleep and cook in the same room. Though some studios can be nice, I appreciate that - however that's just me.
I'm like you, I'd much rather live alone than share, but fortunately it doesn't leave me out of pocket too much.
Soldato
Seems a small place even for 1 person, not to mention that essential outgoings will be £800-£850 (rent, gas, electricity, water, TV license,, internet, council tax, building maintenance fee (?)).
But if you can afford it and are happy with the size, go for it. Check if they do charge a separate building maintenance fee or something. Also, who pays/organises repairs? If you can do it, then claim it back, that's great. If you have to wait for their maintenance team to look at it, then get it fixed, you could be waiting for days, maybe even weeks for a broken boiler or something.
Personally, it seems a lot, considering I pay £600 for a room in a newly refurbished 2nd floor/loft flatshare, part furnished, enough space and including most bills (Winchester though).
But if you can afford it and are happy with the size, go for it. Check if they do charge a separate building maintenance fee or something. Also, who pays/organises repairs? If you can do it, then claim it back, that's great. If you have to wait for their maintenance team to look at it, then get it fixed, you could be waiting for days, maybe even weeks for a broken boiler or something.
Personally, it seems a lot, considering I pay £600 for a room in a newly refurbished 2nd floor/loft flatshare, part furnished, enough space and including most bills (Winchester though).
My bedroom is more like my living room. If anything it's better than because it has a bed in it!
Soldato
Thank you OP. My rent now seems cheap 
.
.Ok so I've gone from 3 agents down to 1... One agent is now waiving the agent fee completely and said there will be no charges at all. I might just cancel the other viewing I have and just go with the one agent. Also, just received an email from the agent saying:
"Please accept this email as confirmation that we will not charge you any administration costs for the rental of Bla Bla Bla Way for either renewal, references, contract setup or check in/out."
How do landlords actually pick a tenant.. especially if many people offer to pay the asking price? Do they arrange to meet up with the potential tenants before choosing?
I got the County wrong,.. it's actually in Middlesex but borderline Surrey. I would probably say it's the nicer part of Middlesex though
I know there are plenty of other cheaper flats out there which I can look at.. but I am extremely fussy and would rather pay a premium for something I really like. Incl tax and bills, I will indeed be looking at paying around £850pcm. Very expensive I know.. but I tend to always make life difficult for myself and to do things the hard way
"Please accept this email as confirmation that we will not charge you any administration costs for the rental of Bla Bla Bla Way for either renewal, references, contract setup or check in/out."
How do landlords actually pick a tenant.. especially if many people offer to pay the asking price? Do they arrange to meet up with the potential tenants before choosing?
I got the County wrong,.. it's actually in Middlesex but borderline Surrey. I would probably say it's the nicer part of Middlesex though
I know there are plenty of other cheaper flats out there which I can look at.. but I am extremely fussy and would rather pay a premium for something I really like. Incl tax and bills, I will indeed be looking at paying around £850pcm. Very expensive I know.. but I tend to always make life difficult for myself and to do things the hard way
Man of Honour
Often it's first come first serve. First person to make the offer for tenancy usually gets it if all the credit checks pass etc....
I got the County wrong,.. it's actually in Middlesex but borderline Surrey. I would probably say it's the nicer part of Middlesex though
Just to nitpick, there's no actual county called Middlesex any more even if the address says Middlesex, so you probably are actually in Surrey!
Seems like a nice place from the pictures, just not sure I could bring myself to spend £700 pcm on a studio.
Well yeah but it kinda sucks to have a shared living/sleeping space when you think to yourself, hmm time to go to bed. Oh wait I'm sitting on my bed now lolz.
Incl tax and bills, I will indeed be looking at paying around £850pcm. Very expensive I know.. but I tend to always make life difficult for myself and to do things the hard way
If you are basing this on a £700 place, your council tax will probably be over £100 a month even considering the 25% single person's discount. Expect your living costs to be £1000 including all bills. Then you have to factor in any property maintenance/management fees.
That's a bonus
Soldato
That's a bonus
When it's your home, it really isn't, it's a massive negative. You have mates round...come into my livingroom/bedroom/kitchen, there is only space for a couple of you to sit down, rest will have to stand/wait outside.
That's exactly what I do now anyway. The only time I am in the living room is when I am having dinner. I don't watch TV (although I have a TV), and in this flat the kitchen is separate. I don't have a desk or chair in my room at home now, so I'm always sitting on my bed anyway - doesn't bother me.
I'm pretty sure I won't be paying anything more than 1k a month incl all essential/necessary bills.
Soldato
I did think that before, but then I realised that in actual fact, if I'm going to have my own place, I want/need separate areas for things, bedroom being just that, a bedroom not a livingroom/bedroom.
You'd be surprised how quickly bills can rack up. Check with the agents as to the CT banding of the studio and find out if they know the rough bills of neighbours.
If I'm going through all the hassle and expense of moving out, I want to end up in a better standard of living. I'd want a desk at least. That place seems really pokey for the money. As I said, paying £700 to sleep on a sofa bed sucks.
Last edited: